1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

The deportation of Merwil Gutiérrez, a 19-year-old Venezuelan with no criminal history or gang ties, to a notorious Salvadoran prison is deeply concerning. Sending individuals to another country they have no connection to, without due process or justification, is a violation of human rights and echoes some of history's darkest chapters of mass detentions and transfers. This unjust action against Gutiérrez, who arrived in the US with his family seeking asylum, must be condemned. Deporting vulnerable people to prison camps without a fair judicial process is unacceptable in a society upholding democratic values and human dignity. Immediate steps should be taken to secure Gutiérrez's safe return to the United States and thoroughly review the circumstances surrounding his wrongful deportation. This disturbing case exemplifies the need for urgent immigration reform that upholds due process, respects human rights, and treats all individuals, regardless of national origin, with dignity and compassion. Harsh enforcement practices that deny legal protections and separate families must end. An immigration system rooted in justice and humanity is imperative.